29th June

FJ Williams Profile Picture
FJW 1955-2007
CH Williams Profile Picture
CHW 2015-
JC Williams Profile Picture
JCW 1897-1939
C Williams Profile Picture
CW 1940-1955


2024 – CHW

Saturday fine but much cooler now than earlier in the week.

A very dark red deciduous azalea above the Trevanion holly.

very dark red deciduous azalea
very dark red deciduous azalea
Rhododendron auriculatum now full out.
Rhododendron auriculatum
Rhododendron auriculatum
Rhododendron sanguineum full out beyond George’s Hut.
Rhododendron sanguineum
Rhododendron sanguineum
Stachyurus ‘Devon Purple’ planted recently but living up to its name.
Stachyurus ‘Devon Purple’
Stachyurus ‘Devon Purple’
Styrax serratifolius has only a very few flowers this year.
Styrax serratifolius
Styrax serratifolius
Styrax serratifolius
Styrax serratifolius
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’ full out and covered in butterflies as usual.
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’
Rosa ‘American Pillar’ nearly out on the Tin Garden shed.
Rosa ‘American Pillar’
Rosa ‘American Pillar’
Carya cordiformis growing away well.
Carya cordiformis
Carya cordiformis
Ilex cerasifolia with flower buds and bronze new leaves.
Ilex cerasifolia
Ilex cerasifolia
Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’ growing far better than last year.
Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’
Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’

2023 – CHW

A little rain but only enough to dry the dust. It however smells fresher. A quest to see which other Manglietias are out.

Polyspora knocked back by winter frost rather than the drought.

Polyspora knocked back by winter frost
Polyspora knocked back by winter frost
Yesterday this rhododendron had its leaves half curled back. Today the leaves at least are absorbing some water.
rhododendron had its leaves half curled back
rhododendron had its leaves half curled back
You can see how little rain we have had in the Michelia doltsopa branch at ground level where the dogs (normally) know they can drink.
see how little rain we have had
see how little rain we have had
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438 flowering for perhaps the second time at about 20 feet in height. 6-8 flowers. Looks like M. insignis and a rather insipid flower form compared to the one last week.
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438
Our Uocodendron whartonii has died in the drought. Asia may have propagated?
Uocodendron whartonii
Uocodendron whartonii
One drought death in our young clump of rhododendron williamsianum.
rhododendron williamsianum
rhododendron williamsianum
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’ is more of a brown halo so far but rather earlier to produce flowers than other forms of M. virginiana.
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’

2022 – CHW

The Royal Isle of Wight County Show. Fortunately the Gardeners’ Question Time event, where I was supposed to be on stage, was cancelled. A very agricultural day out!

Sheep judging.

Sheep
Sheep
A pen of Batch Blue Texels.
Texels
Texels
And a Jacob sheep.
Jacob sheep
Jacob sheep
Calf judging.
Calf
Calf
Miniature goats.
goats
goats
And miniature donkeys!
donkeys
donkeys
Pigs in repose.
Pigs
Pigs
Rows of antique tractors.
tractors
tractors
tractors
tractors
Only the Isle of Wight could have a National Poo Museum.
National Poo Museum
National Poo Museum
Speaks for itself!
Speaks for itself!
Speaks for itself!
Speaks for itself!
Speaks for itself!
Suffolk sheep.
Suffolk sheep
Suffolk sheep
Hampshire Down sheep.
Hampshire Down sheep
Hampshire Down sheep

2021 – CHW
The very last flower on Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’.
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’
Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’
This ancient Cornus kousa hangs in there as one side shoot managed to get some roots down. The rest of the trunk is rotting away.
Cornus kousa
Cornus kousa
Styrax japonicus from Taeuksando (BSWJ 14182) has an erect, upright habit and decent large flowers. Slightly different shape to ‘Emerald Pagoda’ perhaps but not much different.
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
Styrax japonicus
Aralia foliosa (Roundabarrow) is not at all like the herbaceous species seen a couple of days ago. A single stem and about 4-5ft of new growth already this year. Nasty spiked prickles on the stem. Perhaps 15ft tall now.
Aralia foliosa
Aralia foliosa
A young Magnolia macrophylla has doubled in size in a year. The old original plant died last year.
Magnolia macrophylla
Magnolia macrophylla
Magnolia macrophylla
Magnolia macrophylla

2020 – CHW
Another Carpinus variety in our collection which I missed the other day. Carpinus betulus ‘Quercifolia’.
Carpinus betulus ‘Quercifolia’
Carpinus betulus ‘Quercifolia’
Carpinus betulus ‘Quercifolia’
Carpinus betulus ‘Quercifolia’
Quercus x warei ‘Chimney Fire’ with secondary new growth after the rain.
Quercus x warei ‘Chimney Fire’
Quercus x warei ‘Chimney Fire’
Betula ashburneri with catkins.
Betula ashburneri
Betula ashburneri
Unusual to see ripening seed pods so obvious on Berberis wilsonae.
Berberis wilsonae
Berberis wilsonae
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Argenteovariegata’ (probably ‘Albovariegata’ is the correct name) is not a bamboo I have taken in before. Growing vigorous new canes now and rather attractive.
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Argenteovariegata’
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Argenteovariegata’
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Argenteovariegata’
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Argenteovariegata’
Carpinus fangiana is another species which I had missed out on photographing. This probably takes the collection to 20 different ones.
Carpinus fangiana
Carpinus fangiana
Carpinus fangiana
Carpinus fangiana
Himalayacalamus falconeri is another bamboo species which is getting away into a decent clump.
Himalayacalamus falconeri
Himalayacalamus falconeri
Himalayacalamus falconeri
Himalayacalamus falconeri
The clump of Azalea indica outside the front gate is properly out now. There are six different colours within the clump although, from this distance, only three are obvious.
Azalea indica
Azalea indica
This old and well established magnolia above the top wall which I can see today from my desk is plastered in flower. The old label says Magnolia tripetala but it is not! Magnolia x thompsoniana (Magnolia virginiana x Magnolia tripetala) is the correct identification. It has had some flowers out for a few weeks but now a big show high up.
Magnolia x thompsoniana
Magnolia x thompsoniana
Magnolia x thompsoniana
Magnolia x thompsoniana
Eucryphia lucida is nearly over above the greenhouse – I missed it.
Eucryphia lucida
Eucryphia lucida
A young Lithocarpus corneus (CMBS 692) making good growth after several years of sitting doing nothing.
Lithocarpus corneus
Lithocarpus corneus
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’ just about recovering from the drought.
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’
Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymans Silver’
Sizygium smithii making good growth too. Planted last autumn.
Sizygium smithii
Sizygium smithii
First flower on a newly planted Viburnum fansipanense.
Viburnum fansipanense
Viburnum fansipanense
We always knew that this Michelia compressa was mislabelled when sold to us. It has struggled to survive and the flower buds appearing now could not possibly be those of a Michelia. Worth watching for an identification. The Tregrehan compressa is nothing like this.
Michelia compressa was mislabelled
Michelia compressa was mislabelled
Rhododendron ‘Dragonfly’ is one I have missed over the years. Huge trusses and a Jaimie label so planted 20 years ago and now 15ft in height.
Rhododendron ‘Dragonfly’
Rhododendron ‘Dragonfly’
Rhododendron ‘Dragonfly’
Rhododendron ‘Dragonfly’
Rhododendron weyrichii just out. An elderly plant of this deciduous species and an odd colour.
Rhododendron weyrichii
Rhododendron weyrichii
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ nearing the end of its lengthy performance. Still excellent.
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’
Another decent clump of Rhododendron auriculatum which has not enjoyed the dry summers of late or the earlier drought this year.
Rhododendron auriculatum
Rhododendron auriculatum
Amid the ‘trash’/grass/weed growth I find matted clumps of another good wild flower above the Magnolia ‘Mr Julian’. It is growing in a damp location and I cannot find it in my wild flower books as yet.
unknown as yet wild flower
unknown as yet wild flower
unknown as yet wild flower
unknown as yet wild flower

2019 – CHW

Cutting Podocarpus today for the Podocarpaceae Plant Heritage exhibit at Hampton Court. About 60 vases of different Podocarpus species, hybrids and related species.

Jaimie found a late birds’ nest in one. In another in the Rockery a snake had used the trunk and branches to assist it with shedding its skin.

birds’ nest
birds’ nest
snake
snake
snake
snake
Then off to Tregrehan to collect more for the exhibit from Tom Hudson.
Tom had cut some flowers of Manglietia chingii (also called M. conifera) and now renamed Magnolia conifera. They last only a couple of days and even less in this strong warm east wind. The three outer sepals recurve as, it would seem, in all Manglietia.
Manglietia chingii
Manglietia chingii
Manglietia chingii
Manglietia chingii
The shrubby Styrax limprichtii full out. A rare species which we have yet to add to our collection. Shrubby and suckering like Styrax wilsonii.
Styrax limprichtii
Styrax limprichtii
Styrax limprichtii
Styrax limprichtii
Styrax limprichtii
Styrax limprichtii
Squirrels have taken a liking to Tom’s Rehderodendron macrocarpum and done untold damage much earlier in the year than you would expect ‘tree rat’ attacks like this.
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Rehderodendron macrocarpum
Manglietia yuyuanensis at about 30ft with flowers at the top.
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia yuyuanensis
Manglietia duclouxii (Magnolia duclouxii) with white flowers turning yellow. Another new one to us with three outer recurving sepals or are these tepals?
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Manglietia duclouxii
Tom cutting Halocarpus kirkii (Dacrydium kirkii) for the Podocarpus exhibit.
Halocarpus kirkii
Halocarpus kirkii
Halocarpus kirkii
Halocarpus kirkii
Parakmeria lotungensis (a magnolia relative or a true magnolia species similar to M. nitida?) in flower. This has died on us. ‘Magnolias of China’ lists both M. nitida and M. lotungensis as species of Parakmeria which only adds to the confusion!
Parakmeria lotungensis
Parakmeria lotungensis
Parakmeria lotungensis
Parakmeria lotungensis
Derrecks (cattle) shed is a prominent landscape feature especially when viewed from the sea. Natural England want it maintained but a recent storm has done for the roof and a new one is going on. The walls are out of line and have moved after buffeting by the wind so a steel ring beam now has to go all round the top before we start on the roof.
Derrecks (cattle) shed
Derrecks (cattle) shed

2018 – CHW
The Cornish hedgerows are looking so wonderful that I stopped on the way to Burncoose to pick out a few things that we may well grow in our gardens but which are actually wild or native hedgerow plants originally.Lonicera periclymenum (common honeysuckle) has white to yellow flowers flushed red on occasion. Very fragrant and variable in form as you see here. Every garden centre sells this!
Lonicera periclymenum
Lonicera periclymenum
Lonicera periclymenum
Lonicera periclymenum
A blue fescue of some sort. I photographed this last year in the Isle of Wight but nothing like the 5ft tall it is here.
blue fescue
blue fescue
Rosa canina, the dog rose, is full out everywhere. Here a pink form.
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
The more common form (here at least) of R. canina is white. The forms I see in Durham hedgerows have larger flowers than these.
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
Rosa canina
What a joy it is to see the hedgerows uncut until (now) August by law. The tourists grumble about scratches to their cars in narrow lanes but the plants are winning, seeding and adding to ‘diversity’. A popular word amongst liberal thinkers on the left but in a hedgerow context it actually means something.

2017 – CHW
Compare Tropaeolum ciliatum to Tropaeolum speciosum seen recently. This plant has been flowering since March and never died down over winter unlike speciosum. Wonderful value and one which Asia needs to propagate from seeds or cuttings soon. A welcome addition to the Burncoose catalogue. I wonder if we can obtain any other hardy tropaeolum varieties?
Tropaeolum ciliatum
Tropaeolum ciliatum
Tropaeolum ciliatum
Tropaeolum ciliatum
The old fashioned alstromeria which has grown, seeded and suckered itself in several borders.
alstromeria
alstromeria
alstromeria
alstromeria
Fuchsia exorticatica still has an odd flower left but the seed pods are swelling. People often ask us at shows ‘how long a plant flower for’? They are often disappointed in the reality of three weeks or less in hot weather. This plant has been in flower for at least five months since well before the leaves first emerged. Good value!
Fuchsia exorticatica
Fuchsia exorticatica

2016 – CHW
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Overton’ has a huge flower on the top wall.

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Overton’
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Overton’
Styrax wilsonii is just going over in the greenhouse. These are replacement plants for this species which died out some years ago outside the back yard.
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax wilsonii
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’ has wonderful dark foliage and large flowers with just a hint of pink. This is the first time I have seen this new variety in flower although only one flower left.
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’
Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’ is well worth its place and much earlier into flower than the commoner white form.
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Rhododendron ‘Pink Polar Bear’
Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’ was only planted this year but is already performing well. The flowers protrude out and are far more visible than on a normal S japonicus.
Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’
Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’
Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’
Styrax japonicus ‘Snowcap’
Styrax formosanus var hayatiana (BSWJ 6823) was planted in 2010 and has done superbly as a dense multi stemmed tree. The flowers are just going over.
Styrax formosanus var hayatiana (BSWJ 6823)
Styrax formosanus var hayatiana (BSWJ 6823)
Styrax formosanus var hayatiana (BSWJ 6823)
Styrax formosanus var hayatiana (BSWJ 6823)
The original clump of Rhododendron griersonianum which we cut for Chelsea still has plenty of good flowers a month or more later.
Rhododendron griersonianum
Rhododendron griersonianum
Rhododendron griersonianum
Rhododendron griersonianum
Magnolia ‘Genie’ still has a couple of decent-ish flowers as well three months after first showing colour.
Magnolia ‘Genie’
Magnolia ‘Genie’
Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp cuneifolia is not yet out but the flower spikes are clearly visible.
Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp cuneifolia
Meliosma dilleniifolia subsp cuneifolia
A maddenia rhododendron with huge white flowers which I have never seen before above Orchid House Nursery.
maddenia rhododendron with huge white flowers
maddenia rhododendron with huge white flowers
maddenia rhododendron with huge white flowers
maddenia rhododendron with huge white flowers
Echinops battanicus has survived in this border for at least 50 years.
Echinops battanicus
Echinops battanicus
Echinops battanicus
Echinops battanicus

2015 – CHW

Rhododendrons dying
Rhododendrons dying

A little rain yesterday after a very dry month. The first rhododendrons are responding to it being dry by dying but it may just be honeyfungus which strikes at this time of the year.

Magnolia seed pods I
Magnolia seed pods
Magnolia seed pods 2
Magnolia seed pods

The only goodish news is that several magnolias are, as a result of the dry spell, shedding their seed pods and will not be wasting energy producing huge seeds this autumn. Soon we hope to see next year’s buds appearing instead.

There is much talk about second flowerings of magnolias in September but I can find several very late stunted flowers on a Magnolia dawsoniana seedling beyond the Rockery. This was full out in late April. The stunted flowers are a much darker colour and right on the extremities of the branches.

Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana
Magnolia dawsoniana

1992 – FJW
First gossamer of rain since June 3rd. It has not been so hot as 1976 but the signs do not look good – bad weather has been hitting north north Scotland and the Mediterranean – newly planted stuff suffering.1989 – FJW
With Philip near recently dead Rho loderi, saw tree magnolias coming up in the wild.

1932 – JCW
Just as in 1928. Some goodish azaleas, a goodish double pink of Antony is extra good. The big Mag parviflora is extraordinary and many hundreds of flowers are open.

1928 – JCW
Moyesi set of roses nearly over. Maddeni is good and so Arborescens, Styrax, roses in the 3 beds and American Pillar.

1912 – JCW
First crop of roses is over, Arums nice, Escallonia langleyense and the late Wilson Fortunei’s are the best things open. Some Azaleas in the Beech Walk are well out. Has been a wet month.